Troy Breaux Troy Breaux is Coordinator of Percussion studies at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette where he teaches courses in percussion performance and pedagogy in both the classical and jazz areas. In addition, Mr. Breaux is the artistic director of the UL Lafayette Percussion Ensemble and Steel Drum Band and the World Percussion Ensemble and is the Percussion Caption Supervisor and Arranger for the Louisiana Stars Drum and Bugle Corps. Prior to his appointment at UL Lafayette, Mr. Breaux served on the faculties at the University of Tennessee and Auburn University where he taught courses in percussion performance and also served as Assistant Director of Bands and Director of Jazz Bands. From 1993 to 1996 he was the Assistant Director of Bands and Percussion Specialist for the Seguin Independent School District in Seguin, TX. There he developed a comprehensive percussion curriculum for students in grades six through twelve and the band was a consistent finalist in the Bands of America Southwest regional competition. Lonny Benoit Dr. Lonny Benoit is Head of the Department of Performing Arts and Coordinator of Percussion Studies at McNeese State University in Lake Charles, Louisiana. Benoit is the director of the McNeese Percussion Ensemble, McNeese Ragtime Pokes, Steel Drum Band, Cowboy Bloco, West African Drum and Dance Ensemble, and Pride of McNeese Drumline. Benoit served as Front Ensemble Caption Manager of the Santa Clara Vanguard Drum and Bugle Corps from Santa Clara, CA (2007-09). Benoit is the former Percussion Caption Head of the Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps from Rockford, Illinois. Prior to working with Phantom Regiment, Benoit was a staff member for the Blue Knights Drum and Bugle Corps (Denver, CO) and is a former member of the Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps (Rosemont, IL). As a performer, Benoit is a member of the percussion group CHAAC. Benoit has appeared with the Lake Charles Symphony, the Las Vegas Philharmonic, the Rapides Symphony, the Acadiana Wind Ensemble, and TAD Wind Symphony from Tokyo, Japan. Benoit regularly presents clinics and master classes throughout the United States and abroad and has also been a featured clinician at several PAS State Days of Percussion. Lonny Benoit received his Doctor of Musical Arts and Master of Music degrees from the University of Nevada-Las Vegas under the tutelage of Dr. Dean Gronemeier. Benoit is an artist/clinician for Pearl Drums and Adams Musical Instruments, Zildjian cymbals, Vic Firth Inc., and Evans drumheads. Derek Badon Derek Badon has been helping the Louisiana stars percussion ensemble since its initial start in 2014. At camps he mostly sticks with snare drums but does not mind drifting to other sections if assistance is needed. Derek started his drum corps experience with Spirit of JSU wayyyyyyyyy back in 2003. This experience was a special one since he previously went through two other drum corps auditions that didn’t go so hot. But persevere he did, and after becoming an alternate Mr. Badon made the snareline. The staff that summer would change and influence him to become a member of Phantom Regiment 2004 and Music City Mystique 2006 and 2007. Derek also entered two solo competitions for snare drum: Pasic 2004 3rd place ; LMCGPC 2014 alumni class. “It has and always will be a blessing to march, be directed and instructed by great human beings!!” In between this grand adventure Derek was able to help over 10 high schools in southern Louisiana and the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. He was able to provide numerous compositions, instruction; visual design; show design; honor band and allstate preparation and adjudication; clinics; sooo many band camps, lol; a couple of awards n’ stuff. “The most important was providing fun and good times for the children and students that gave 108% everyday with my colleagues and I.” In the meantime Derek is patiently waiting for the season to start, finishing up certification for Mathematics, hanging out playing: didgeridoo, vibraphone, and officially hacking on a practice pad (with a met and a scoop for sound projection; pad hands ) Lets do this STARS 2019 ** diddle and mallet hype!!** Gunner Vowel Gunner is a resident of Hattiesburg, MS and a former student at USM. During his time at Southern Miss, he was the principal percussionist of the Wind Ensemble, captain of the Pride drumline, and vibraphonist in the Jazztet under the direction of Larry Panella. Gunner has been involved in drum corps for 5 years, playing snare drum with the Blue Knights in 2013 and teaching at Louisiana Stars since it's inception in 2014. In Hattiesburg, Gunner is a battery tech for state-champion and WGI world class finalist Petal High School, piano instructor at Groove House music school, and band leader for soul/fusion group Phony Pony. Michael Benoit Hailing from Delcambre, Louisiana, Michael Benoit has been an active instructor and arranger in the South Louisiana area for over seven years. He has written for a number of ensembles including North Vermilion High School, UL Lafayette’s Pride of Acadiana, East Central High in Mississippi, and other schools in the Lafayette area. He currently teaches at North Vermilion High School, Louisiana Stars, Elite Independent, and Elite A. He marched a number of years of drum corps with both the Louisiana Stars and the Troopers where he served as section leader. Michael also served as section leader for the Pride of Acadiana and Principal Percussionist of the UL Lafayette Wind Ensemble. He received his bachelor’s degree in History at UL Lafayette concentrating in African American and Native American History. Michael is currently working towards a teaching certification in Music Education. Andres Morales Originally from San Antonio, Texas, Andrés Morales has been an active percussionist in the Lafayette area for the past seven years. A graduate of the UL Lafayette School of Music, Andrés was member of many music ensembles during his studies such as the UL Lafayette marching band, "The Pride of Acadiana," UL Orchestra, UL Wind Ensemble, UL Jazz Ensemble, and the UL Percussion Ensemble, to name a few. In addition to participating with the University’s musical ensembles, Andrés has also been a member of other performing groups such as Revolution Drum and Bugle Corps Crossmen Drum and Bugle Corps, Voodoo Indoor Percussion, Elite Independent Percussion, Lafayette Concert Band, and the Acadian Wind Symphony. As a music educator, Andrés has worked with various band programs throughout the Lafayette area including Lafayette High School, Delcambre High School, and Paul Breaux Middle School. He has also worked as a battery instructor for Elite Independent Percussion, and will be returning to work with Louisiana Stars Drum and Bugle Corps a third season. Bailey Lanier Bailey Lanier, from Destrehan, Louisiana, is currently completing his degree in music education at The University of Louisiana at Lafayette. He’s performed as the principal percussionist in both the UL Wind Ensemble and UL Orchestra and was also an active member of the UL World Percussion Ensemble over the past four years. Bailey enjoyed marching tenors for three years with both the Louisiana Stars Drum & Bugle Corps and The Pride of Acadiana Marching Band, serving as the section leader in his final seasons of both ensembles. Bailey was also the drumset player for the bronze medal-winning Elite Indoor Percussion in 2016. He is currently a percussion instructor at Acadiana High School and Elite 2 Indoor Percussion. Bailey is beyond excited to be a helping hand in the future endeavors of Louisiana Stars.” Taylor Naquin Taylor Naquin has been an active member in the marching activity for several years. He is currently on staff with the Southside High School Marching Band from Youngsville, Louisiana. Taylor was a member and section leader of the following ensembles: U.S. Army All-American Marching Band (2015), Louisiana Stars Drum and Bugle Corps(2015), Elite Independent Percussion (2016)and Crossmen Drum and Bugle Corps (2017). He is presently finishing his marching career as a member of Cap City Percussion (2019). Along with teaching Private lessons, Taylor has also served as percussion instructor at Lafayette HS (2015), Central Lafourche HS (2016), Comeaux HS (2016-2017),and Vandebilt Catholic HS (2018). Taylor is currently pursuing a degree in Instrumental Music Education at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. During his time at ULL, Taylor was a member of the percussion ensemble, steel band, symphonic band, wind ensemble, and Pride of Acadiana Marching Band. TJ Salsberg -His DCI experiences include two summers with The Colts Drum and Bugle Corps; 2014 in the front ensemble and 2015 on bass drum. -His WGI experiences include marching snare drum for two seasons in Open Class with Gulf Coast Independent and two seasons with WGI World Class finalist, Palmetto Percussion. He has spent several years as a freelance instructor, giving private lessons as well as working with local high schools on the MS Gulf Coast. He is a current percussion instructor at West Harrison High School. During his tenure, the band performed nationally at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and will perform at The Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, CA. He also has been involved with Petal Indoor Percussion Theatre at Petal High School. He is a current battery technician with the Louisiana Stars Drum and Bugle Corps. TJ is from Biloxi, MS. He is a graduate of Biloxi High School and Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. Xavier Matthews Xavier Matthews is Louisiana Stars' Bass Technician. Matthews is a current student at Northwestern State University's School of Creative and Performing Arts, finishing his Bachelor's in Music Business and studying percussion under Oliver Molina. Marching experiences include; Voodoo Independent 2013 and Louisiana Stars Drum & Bugle Corps 2014 & 2015.